OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 9: Quarterback Matt Flynn of the Oakland Raiders slides after getting flushed out of the pocket by the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a preseason game on August 9, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (6) passes against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (6) passes against the...

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Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen walks on the sideline during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Photo: Ben Margot, Associated Press

Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen walks on the sideline...

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Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings carries against Dallas Cowboys defensive back J.J. Wilcox, bottom, during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 9: Wide receiver Cole Beasley #11 of the Dallas Cowboys pulls in a touchdown pass against cornerback Joselio Hanson #23 of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter of a preseason game on August 9, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Photo: Brian Bahr, Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 9: Wide receiver Cole Beasley #11 of the...

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OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 9: A fan of the Oakland Raiders looks on before a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on August 9, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Raiders fans went to the Coliseum or tuned in (tape-delayed of course) Friday night to get a look at new starting quarterback Matt Flynn, root for their favorite in backup Terrelle Pryor and try to put names to faces on the defensive side of the ball.

They walked away, though, talking about the dynamic Matt McGloin-to-Brice Butler connection. The undrafted quarterback from Penn State hit the seventh-round pick from San Diego State twice in one third-quarter drive, once for 40 yards and then for 30 on a pretty diving touchdown catch.

"I am 23 years old and I have been waiting on that moment my whole life," Butler said.

The Raiders went on to win 19-17 over the Cowboys in their preseason opener, which means a tiny notch above nothing, especially considering that running back Darren McFadden and safety Charles Woodson barely broke a sweat and that top draft picks D.J. Hayden and Menelik Watson and two thirds of their starting defensive line didn't play.

Flynn and Pryor each led the Raiders to field goals, and while Pryor moved the team a little better, he also threw an ill-advised interception across his body when rolling right.

"I got greedy," Pryor said.

Flynn and Pryor each played a quarter, and then it was time for McGloin and Butler. McGloin showed a strong arm on both throws, and just when one thought he led Butler too far on the pass into the end zone, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Butler dived, extended his arms and hauled it in.

"I knew Matt was going to throw it to me, because he always does at training camp," Butler said. "I was going ... and my legs weren't quite giving me what I needed them to give me, so I dove."

McGloin has pulled ahead of fourth-round pick Tyler Wilson in a battle for the team's No. 3 spot. That's not a surprise anymore, and McGloin was 4-for-7 for 78 yards, the TD and a quarterback rating of 135.7.

Wilson struggled on his first two series in the fourth quarter. He threw behind Travionte Session in the end zone, and then on 3rd and 5, he almost got rookie running back Latavius Murray killed with a soft throw across the middle.

"There's still some growing we have to do with him," Allen said of Wilson.

As for Butler's growth, things continue to go according to plan. Not his necessarily, but the big fella's upstairs. A prep All-American in Norcross, Ga., Butler went to USC on top of the world. But he learned a little humility and eventually wound up at San Diego State, where he caught all of 24 passes last season.

"God doesn't make mistakes. He obviously thought I needed to learn a lesson, and I wouldn't change anything ... the chance to represent the shield, the way it's turned out," said Butler, who admitted to getting teary-eyed before Friday's game. "It was a humbling experience."

The Raiders' receivers coach, Ted Gilmore, was with Butler at USC in 2011 and was calling the receiver well before this year's draft.

"He was telling me he was going to fight for me, and that he thought I could make it in the NFL and contribute to the Raiders," Butler said.

Butler took a huge leap over third-year veteran Andre Holmes in the battle for a roster spot, and No. 4 receiver Juron Criner should be looking over his shoulder.

"He's a big target, he's fast, he's able to get in and out of breaks," Allen said. "He's really had an impressive camp.

"The thing you have to make sure with all rookies is keep your thumb on him and make sure he doesn't read too many of the good things you're going to write about him. ... Keep him improving."